Farm leaders demand Rs 3.77 crore compensation, MSP guarantee, and action on multiple governance issues
Punjab witnessed a coordinated show of strength today as the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) launched a state-wide protest, targeting the state government with a series of long-pending demands cantered on farmer welfare, economic relief, and governance accountability.
The Gherao Strategy
The protest took the form of peaceful demonstrations organized outside the residences of 21 Members of Legislative Assembly, six state ministers, and Punjab’s Chief Minister. This direct action—known locally as a “gherao”—is designed to exert pressure on elected representatives to address the concerns of farmers and laborers across the state.
Unresolved Shambhu-Khanauri Compensation
At the heart of the KMM’s grievances lies the incomplete resolution of losses from the Shambhu-Khanauri farmers’ movement. KMM leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Satnam Singh Pannu underscored that farmers and laborers continue to suffer from the heavy economic and social fallout of that agitation, with many still awaiting full compensation.
“The government made promises, but the people are yet to receive what was rightfully theirs,” the leaders stated, highlighting the disconnect between assurances and implementation.
Primary Demands
The KMM has outlined a comprehensive list of immediate demands:
Compensation and Support: The organization is demanding Rs 3.77 crore to cover losses incurred during the Shambhu-Khanauri movement, along with government employment opportunities and financial support for families of deceased and injured farmers.
Agricultural Security: A key demand is a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for agricultural products and comprehensive loan waivers for farmers and laborers—measures aimed at providing structural protection to the agrarian sector.
Accountability Measures: The KMM has called for strict action against government officials allegedly involved in atrocities, misconduct, and theft of goods during the movement, signalling demands for institutional accountability.
Broader Governance Concerns
The protest reflects discontent extending beyond farmer compensation. The KMM’s demands encompass a wide range of policy issues affecting rural Punjab:
The organization has demanded compensation for losses due to recent floods and called for the withdrawal of the Electricity Amendment Bill 2025 and the Seed Act 2025. They have also urged the government to exclude agriculture from Free Trade Agreements and convene a special session of the Legislative Assembly to address these matters.
Infrastructure and resource management remain contentious points. The KMM has demanded a halt to forced installation of smart and pre-paid meters, the withdrawal of cases and fines related to stubble burning, and immediate resolution of the urea shortage crisis. The organization has warned against black marketing of fertilizers and demanded immediate payment of outstanding dues to sugarcane farmers.
Law and Order Priorities
On the law and order front, the KMM has demanded strict action against major drug mafias, political patronage networks, and cross-border drone smuggling operations—issues that have long plagued Punjab’s peace and security landscape.
Escalation Warning
The farm leaders have issued a veiled warning that the movement will intensify if their demands are not addressed. This statement carries weight given the history of farmer mobilizations in Punjab, which have repeatedly demonstrated capacity for sustained, large-scale agitation.
The KMM also criticized the central budget, describing it as pro-corporate and dismissing it as inadequately responsive to the needs of farmers and working-class citizens.
Historical Context
The Shambhu-Khanauri protest referenced in today’s agitation occurred at the Haryana-Punjab border and saw significant participation from farmers demanding better support prices and working conditions. The incomplete resolution of that movement’s demands continues to fester as a source of grievance among Punjab’s agricultural community.
Government’s Response
As of now, there has been no official statement from the Punjab government regarding the KMM’s demands or today’s protests. The state administration’s response will likely determine whether tensions ease or escalate further.
Looking Ahead
Today’s statewide protest represents a critical juncture in Punjab’s ongoing dialogue between agricultural workers and the state government. With the KMM signaling readiness to intensify action, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether the government chooses to engage substantively with these demands or faces renewed and more disruptive agitation.
The movement underscores persistent challenges in Punjab’s agricultural economy—from income support and institutional credit to crop protection and farmer dignity—issues that have defined the state’s political landscape for decades.
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